hybird bikes - what's the advantages of them

irishgeo

whats the advantages off this over a road bike or a mountain bike.

ill be doing only casula cycling , nothing serious, just weekends etc.

The reason i ask they are 50% off in halfords so you can pick up one for €200.

triggermortis

A hybrid will give you a more upright position than a road bike and so be more comfortable for shorter distances. It won't have all the bells and whistles of a mountain bike like suspension or maybe disc brakes and so be cheaper.
They are good if you want to get from A to B, on a road, in your own time, and you won't need an expensive fitting session or lycra to enjoy it.
Don't know much about specs of these, but half price is always a good start

kenmc

It depends; there are 26" wheel hybrids and 700mm wheel hybrids. The 700mm ones are better, they tend to be flat bar road bikes, with road bike gearing and reasonably lightweight, whereas the 26" ones tend to be de-suspensioned mountainbikes, and heavy to go with it. Basically the worst of both worlds - heavy and clunky like a mountainbike, but not capable of going offroad.

I initially bought a flat bar road bike but quickly regretted my decision and turned it into a proper road bike; I could have bought the road bike version of the same bike for the same price as the flat bar bike, yet it cost me 250ish to convert it to make it equivalent.

I'd recommend anyone to not bother with a hybrid and either get a road bike if never going to be going mountain biking, or a mountain bike if never going to be road biking, or one (or more ) of each if going to do both.

BostonB

Thinner taller wheels (less resistance and faster) upright, so more comfortable, better visibility in traffic, straight bars and easier access to brakes (if you're not used to hoods on a road bike) Usually fitting for a rack, mudguards. Hybrid is usually cheaper as the brake/gear leavers are more expensive on road bikes. Of course its all subjective, some might prefer a road bike, or a mountain bike. I find my mountain bike, which is set up like a hybrid is heavier, and less easily deflected over bumps, potholes, than a lighter road bike is. Of course you feel that weight on any hills.

petethedrummer

If it's the Apollo range I wouldn't go for one. The quality is very poor. http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/review-apollo-paradox-11-45210


The Carrera range seems to be alright though.

Lumen

Mountain bikes are for cycling off-road.

Hybrids are cheaper and best for cycling at slow and medium speeds in normal clothes.

It is possible to cycle a hybrid reasonably fast, but it isn't as much fun as it would be on a road bike, particularly up and down hills.

I saw a young woman cycling a drop bar road bike in 4 inch heels last night. Hawt.

smacl

@irishgeo Hybrids can be easier to cycle if you're new to cycling; wider tyres, more relaxed position, and easier access to the brakes. They're also well suited to certain conditions. I notice you hail from Mayo, the Westport - Achill greenway for example would be more suited to a hybrid than a road bike or a mountain bike, as are many bumpy bohereens.

Hybrids are also less desirable, so if you lock your bike up in town besides a road bike, all other things being equal, the road bike is more of a target for theft. They also come out much cheaper for a functional commuter, e.g. with chain guard, mudguards, rack, etc... than a road bike.

Road bikes are faster, cooler, and more fun. Do you need a sports car or a family saloon?

Mountain bikes are what you need off road in the mountains, and nothing else will really work if that's what you plan on doing.

BostonB

You can get Hybrids which are basically a mountain bike, complete with shocks etc. You can also get Hybrids which are a high end road bike with flat bars, even carbon frames. So there's a vast range of bikes which are called Hybrids .

lennymc

Lumen wrote: »

I saw a young woman cycling a drop bar road bike in 4 inch heels last night. Hawt.

i saw a young woman cycling a fixie in heels the other day. It looked wrong.

coolbeans

lennymc wrote: »

i saw a young woman cycling a fixie in heels the other day. It looked wrong.

Most fixies are wrong.

coolbeans

@ OP. For short hops in normal clothes hybirds are grand. Aside from that I see no advantage. A properly fitted road bike can be the most comfortable machine on the road especially if you've got a bad back. A road bike can become an extension of you, a hybrid IMO cannot.

nilhg

I bought a flat bar hybrid, it's more in the style of a road bike than MTB (700x23c tyres), I'd consider myself stiff in the back but find the bike to be quite comfortable (especially since I got padded tights) after I spent a while fiddling with various saddle heights and positions. The biggest problem I've had since i did some longer rides (long for me anyway) is the lack of alternative hand positions on the bars, I've a set of bar ends on the way which hopefully will improve matters.

MungoMan

One good alternative to buying a Hybrid is to buy a roadbike, and set it up so as your riding position is similar to a Hybrid.
You can do this by raising the handlebar on the roadbike, and perhaps shortening the stem. Also maybe get a more comfortable saddle, and maybe 25 or 28mm tyres.
I did exactly this with an old steel roadbike, and it's definitely as comfortable as any Hybrid, with the advantage of being able to vary my hand positions, and go into the drops if I want to get a bit more aero dynamic.

BostonB

Or a cross bike.

fat bloke

Hybrids are dustbins into which people can throw between 300 and 600 euro while they slowly realise that they should just have bought a road bike to begin with.

Entry level roadbikes provide the same service, but at a higher cost. These facilitate you in wasting 1000 euro now and then later doing what you should've done in the first place and spend in excess of 3000 euro. Some people like to do this in stages - so they buy the 500 euro hybrid cos they don't need anything more to go down the shops, then they upgrade to the 1000 euro road bike cos they just want something for the odd 50k sunday spin. Still not having learned, they then buy an entry level carbon road bike, dropping maybe 1800-1900 euro, that'll do them cos it's not like they're "doing the Tour de France" and they don't want to spend too much, but would like a carbon frame. Finally, circuitously, and expensively, shortly afterwards they see sense and buy a proper road bike. :pac:

smacl

fat bloke wrote: »

.... shortly afterwards they see sense and buy a proper road bike.

Which they go out on once or twice to the cake shop in Enniskerry, and then leave in the shed, because they're over the whole boike thing, and have decided to take up wake boarding or hot yoga instead

BostonB

I dunno, a few people of work had road bikes and have gone back to Hybrids for commuting for example.

Holyboy

Ha, I just noticed the typo in the thread name, love it, think I'm going to call them HYBIRDS from now on:D

clonmahon

I have a road bike and a hybrid. I use the road bike for the Sunday morning run with the club. I use the hybrid for going to the shop, the bank, the pub, the post office, visiting friends, going to parties, running errands, going to look at cattle and relaxed leisure cycles in the summer. I use the hybrid for all those short local journeys I used to use the car for.

The hybrid is equipped with mudguards, carrier, chainguard, handlebar bag, panniers and a kick stand. It has a good range of very low gears, very useful for bring home a load of shopping as I live in a hilly part of the country. It is my everyday utilitarian transport and requires no special clothes.

The road bike is for fast runs with the club. When I go to the pub, to visit a friends house or to a party I wear ordinary clothes and cycle at a pace that won’t make me sweat. I don’t arrive dressed in Lycra and dripping with sweat, that’s for Sunday morning.

Horses for courses. For many people, in many situations the hybrid is the perfect solution.

jameverywhere

well, hybirds can fly. so there's that.

ciotog

I commute on a hybrid (8.5km each way) and wouldn't change it for a road bike. I tip along at a reasonable pace in comfort although I seem to sweat regardless of how easy I try to take it - a road bike isn't going to change that. I also wouldn't go back from my internally geared hub to a derailleur system - I'm sure you could set a road bike up that way but I'm not sure if that's a route worth taking. I also prefer the upright seating position - that's probably the main factor for me.

Any bike you are comfortable on can become an extension of you Coolbeans

littleredspot

clonmahon wrote: »

I have a road bike and a hybrid. I use the road bike for the Sunday morning run with the club. I use the hybrid for going to the shop, the bank, the pub, the post office, visiting friends, going to parties, running errands, going to look at cattle and relaxed leisure cycles in the summer. I use the hybrid for all those short local journeys I used to use the car for.

The hybrid is equipped with mudguards, carrier, chainguard, handlebar bag, panniers and a kick stand. It has a good range of very low gears, very useful for bring home a load of shopping as I live in a hilly part of the country. It is my everyday utilitarian transport and requires no special clothes.

The road bike is for fast runs with the club. When I go to the pub, to visit a friends house or to a party I wear ordinary clothes and cycle at a pace that won’t make me sweat. I don’t arrive dressed in Lycra and dripping with sweat, that’s for Sunday morning.

Horses for courses. For many people, in many situations the hybrid is the perfect solution.

Clonmahon just posted what I was going to say. As much as I love my shiney carbon road bike for spins, my hybrid is much better suited to short journeys through town, to the shops or on a day out with family.

I would however agree to steer clear of the cheap Halfords ones. You'll regret it.

petethedrummer

I feel the most important piece of info has got lost in the mire. DON'T BUY AN APOLLO.

irishgeo

what does everyone think of this bike?

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/bicycles/3030705

petethedrummer

That Reebok is what's commonly known as BSO.

If you are going for something at that price avoid any suspension of any form. That bike is fit for a 5 minute potter to the shops and nothing else.

littleredspot

Also, its a mountain bso not a hybrid. I don't think anyone has recommended a mountain bike.

BostonB

irishgeo wrote: »

whats the advantages off this over a road bike or a mountain bike.

ill be doing only casula cycling , nothing serious, just weekends etc.

Will you be cycling on a road or a mountain?

ThisRegard

BostonB wrote: »

I dunno, a few people of work had road bikes and have gone back to Hybrids for commuting for example.

I'm the same, I wouldn't bother with the road bike for the commute as my flat bar is more suitable.

edit, speaking of BSOs, I'm getting an ad on this page, "Huge Savings on bikes" for sportsdirect.com with a pic of something that looks very similar to that rebook.

BostonB

irishgeo wrote: »

what does everyone think of this bike?

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/bicycles/3030705

Nah, not worth it.

studiorat

clonmahon wrote: »

...going to the shop, the bank, the pub, the post office, visiting friends, going to parties, running errands, going to look at cattle and relaxed leisure cycles in the summer...

ciotog

irishgeo wrote: »

what does everyone think of this bike?

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/bicycles/3030705

I'd get on a hybrid and cycle far, far away from it

ciotog

studiorat wrote: »

...going to the shop, the bank, the pub, the post office, visiting friends, going to parties, running errands, going to look at cattle and relaxed leisure cycles in the summer...

It's a daily (at least) task for many in rural Ireland... was that the confusion?

BufftyBoy

Can anyone recommend a good hybrid or mountain bike for around €400-€500. Was looking at a few bikes in Halfords like the Voodoo Marasa, Voodoo Marasa, Carrera Gryphon,Carrera Crossfire-3,Carrera Vengeance, Carrera Vulcam??? I work about 4k from home, so it would only be short cistance. A little help people. Thank you please

Munster Tom

I bought a Trek 7.1FX on the govt tax free bike scheme ...
I think its a fantastic machine - and I have 2 great years on it so far ...
Did the Sean Kelly 50k on it last august, and I am thinking of upgrading to a road bike for the 90k this year - but I will definitely keep the hybrid for the family spins and general use ...

studiorat

ciotog wrote: »

It's a daily (at least) task for many in rural Ireland... was that the confusion?

In the context it looks very strange. ... bank, pub, visiting friends, going to parties, looking at cattle...
Who's cattle would you be looking at?

Chartsengrafs

His own?

Tonyandthewhale

Cattle are magnificient beasts. Humble in their motives and speech, sublime in their movements yet proud in their stature both physically and spiritually.

Also, bufftyboy. Mountain bikes and hybrids are quiet different beasts in what they are designed to do and what they are best at doing.
Best to decide which kind of bike you want first off.

If you do want a hybrid then the trek fx series are very good, giant escape and kona dew are decent as well. Carrera gryphon might be worth looking at although I'm not that familiar with them and I couldn't be arsed googling.

clonmahon

Basster wrote: »

His own?

Unfortunately not my own, as cattle are now a very valuable asset. I have a neighbor who is a part time beef farmer and several times a year he has other commitments and I mind his cattle when he is away. It's a few miles from home on the road. And then up a long and very rough lane, not suitable at all for a road bike. Also the footwear is wellies. Hybrid is ideal for this run.

BufftyBoy

Right it's down to the Carrera Gtyphon or the Voodoo Marasa? What does everone thing?

Lumen

BufftyBoy wrote: »

Right it's down to the Carrera Gtyphon or the Voodoo Marasa? What does everone thing?

Voodoo.

clod71

OT (but just slighty)
in the video megathread I found this on Halfords.
I thought it was worth sharing it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz_3Y-nKmDw&feature=player_embedded

ThisRegard

I actually LOL'd in real life there, that's hilarious.

Cat Melodeon

clod71 wrote: »

OT (but just slighty)
in the video megathread I found this on Halfords.
I thought it was worth sharing it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz_3Y-nKmDw&feature=player_embedded

I think I've done myself an injury with the snort of laughter that just caused me to make.

Also, I've just ordered the voodoo marasa from halfords. I'll report back once I've had a few spins on it.

Colonialboy

If its just casual cycling, then Id go for the hybrid, 200 euro is good price and if you want to get from A to B, in comfort, in your own time, taking in the scenery and carrying some bags or stuff then go for the hybrid.

Plus its good exercise if you do decide you want a road bike at some point. You will feel the benefits of cycling a lighter road bike having done some time on a hybrid, but the hybrid will always be there for the casual trips .

fat bloke wrote: »

Hybrids are dustbins into which people can throw between 300 and 600 euro while they slowly realise that they should just have bought a road bike to begin with. Finally, circuitously, and expensively, shortly afterwards they see sense and buy a proper road bike. :pac:

have to disagree here...
different bikes are for different purposes.

besides theres nothing funnier than cycling passed some dude in lycra on his drop bars road bike, whilst your clipping along on a hybrid , I used do this regularly. Just cos your in jeans with a flat bar doesnt mean you havent the power

Like alot of sports , alot of 'roadies' trying to drop 250g off their bike weight,etc etc have hijacked the spirit of cycling. I have the same respect for an A1 clocking 2 hours a night in Dec, as I have for an aspiring A3s hanging on for his 3 hour Sat cub spin as i have for someone in a hybrid doing a weekend gallavant in the country taking it all in.

littleredspot

Colonialboy wrote: »

besides theres nothing funnier than cycling passed some dude in lycra on his drop bars road bike, whilst your clipping along on a hybrid , I used do this regularly. Just cos your in jeans with a flat bar doesnt mean you havent the power

Could't agree more. I also recall a boards outing where we were all passed by a laughing hippy on a reclining bike

Aylarth

any chance to be able and find/buy a bike (hybrid or not, doesnt really matter to me, the goal is to be able and visit my friends ~20 miles away from me) as a new, I mean not used bike?

kenmc

Aylarth wrote: »

any chance to be able and find/buy a bike (hybrid or not, doesnt really matter to me, the goal is to be able and visit my friends ~20 miles away from me) as a new, I mean not used bike?

if you're looking to do 20 miles each way, you should definitely look at a road bike.

Colonialboy

kenmc wrote: »

if you're looking to do 20 miles each way, you should definitely look at a road bike.

I seem to be missing something here.... since when does >20miles require a road bike as an absolute. Im old school , we were just happy to have two wheels that got us from A to B, wether it was 10,20 or 30 miles. Obviously nowadays you require a road bike for this sort of stuff

I always found myself less inclined to stop and visit when on the road bike, cos you just want to zip along, whereas on a hybrid your more chillaxed and plus its easier to carry a bag on the hybrid if you need to I found .

best of luck with your choice. Its a win win either way, as if the bug bites you will probably want a road bike and second bike (cheap hybrid. )